THUNDER BAY – Following the lightning strike that hit the Whalen Building the afternoon of Wednesday, May 23, the Facilities and Fleet Department has completed a damage assessment review with a structural engineer. The cost estimate to repair the damage is approximately $250,000. Some of this will be covered through insurance, with the remainder of the expenses being covered through existing approved capital funds.
“It’s the first time a city-owned building has ever been struck, and thankfully no one was injured,” said Michael Smith, General Manager of Facilities and Fleet. “We expect to start the repairs in the next month or so.”